Once upon a time, I would kind of groan when the first chords of Sugaree started. I don't know if my tastes have changed or what, but I wish I could go back in time to my old self who didn't appreciate the song and play this version of Sugaree. Holy moly it is absolutely one of my favorite songs now and I don't know what the heck I was thinking. Give this one a listen!

Okay folks, 5/8/77 is an entirely different beast, setlists, probably drugs as well. The best numero uno Grateful Dead to be had is 1965-1995. All of it, call it good, bad, or ugly, I am grateful for every note, and all sensory experiences as a result of these misfits, these humans!

If this show was circulated instead of 5/8/77 then
it would be considered "the greatest".

Peak of peak Dead

Ladies & Gentlemen, This is the Peggy-O of Peggy-Os!

Whenever a show contains an all-time best version of a song, it must earn 5 stars. The song in question here is China Doll. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for most Garcia/Hunter ballads and have been searching for the best China Doll recently. The immense power of this version made me cry, knowing the song is about a suicide. Placed perfectly in this 2nd set, it shows how emotional and immense their ballads could be be towards the end of a rockin set. Peace all- hope you play this as much as I have!

Agreed, Chickenshack. This person clearly has an axe to grind against Deadheads, for obscure reasons. Not only is the venom-laden post just mean-spirited and nasty, it also is completely noncontributory towards the reviewing process. I would agree with a 5-star rating, being in the middle of the ingenious UJB at this point. For about the millionth time....this luminous show just doesn't get tiresome. Not ashamed to say so, FoolishHeart!!! LOL.

You don’t like people giving reviews and opinions? Yet you bother to spend the time to type your opinion? Just to trash on other people? Does that make you feel better? Foolish Heart indeed!! Do something more constructive with your time than spew negativity.

...especially the reviewing type...are the reason I wouldn't hit the lot until right before showtime and then run back to the hotel room during the last verse of the encore. Seriously, shocking and embarrassing.

I have spent many a year chasing down a tape of "the best" Grateful Dead show. For the last few years I thought Veneta 72 (Sunshine Daydream) would never be topped. If I ever had my mind changed I assumed it would be something from 1970-74. This show has always been top ten for me but it has been really creeping up my list over the last year. Jerry was ON FIRE this night. The Peggy-O (along with the Beautiful Jam) is a career high point for the boys. Best Set List EVER!

best I've ever heard, and I was at lake placid.

I saw a spring 77 show (5/5/77) but not this one. This is one of the best I've heard - it has the spirit of transportation/transformation of the Dead from the old days - you go into the other world and stay there until PigPen takes you back down to the street. The first set takes off but the 2nd set stays up there ("you just glide there in the pure air, doin' figure eights by the pearly gates" - oh that's another song) and just never comes down. It helps that there are no 4/4 rockers, I guess. Amazing setlist - like from the very old days.

Come on now. The first set includes Sugaree, Peggy-O, Row Jimmy, and Loser. Some of Jerry's finest, and all in the first set!!!! Treat yourself and have a listen.

my favorite sugaree
peggy o and row jimmy also

KennRat I believe what you're referring to is Jerry's MuTron Octave divider pedal which will add a lower note an octave apart from the fretted note....very cool.
He would often use this pedal in conjunction with the MuTronIII (auto Wah) down the road on tunes like Feel Like A Stranger and Fire on the Mt...etc.

As consistently good as anything from 1977. Was wondering, however, about the sound of Garcia's guitar on the Playing Reprise. The reprise is outstanding and mesmerizing. At the beginning right after China Doll Garcia starts a unique sounding with a bass like underwater kind of sound. Keith and Phil don't play for a while and its just Garcia with this bass like underwater sound along with minimal drums and some nice work by Weir. It is like this for about 3:00 min and then Lesh drops in and out until the pace picks up about 4:30 min into jam. Has anyone heard this sound out of Garcia's guitar before? Seems unique to this Playing Reprise to my ears. Any or all color welcome !!

UJB and The Wheel are tops, and the Playin' reprise soars!

better than 5/22!? no, it can't be!

After taping this show from a WLIR radio broadcast in the early '80's it has to be one of the best I've ever heard. Listen to Jet & Sugaree, need I say more..... Everyone was doing their part and then some. Enjoy!

First off, this show blows my mind every time. The ending medley is one of the first things from '77 i ever heard, and it couldn't be more perfect.
To those down below who have a problem with the fact that the released shows are taken down -- stop stressing out! If there are a bunch of buy-only shows you want, make a list and buy one for yourself every once in a while. Until you buy the next one, gorge yourself on the rest of these wonderful shows (of which the majority still remain). Look at all the ridiculous things that haven't been released, and be grateful that you have access to so much.
If the dead don't make SOME money on their music we'll lose all of this. So stop whining.

MY #1 LOSER. 'SPIRITUAL 'GARCIA!'
ANY OTHER LOSER'S CLOSE, I'M NEW TO ARCHIVE.

In my humble opion one of their very best shows of all time hands down if not the best. Many of my favorite versions of my favorite Dead songs like Sugaree, Terrapin Station, Peggy-O, Row Jimmy, and the PITB>Uncle John's Band jam is unreal.
And to the rescue Sugarmegs.org has got it streaming with excellent sound quality. If you know how to record streaming audio you're set. Get it while it's still hot!

$2.50 a gallon?

Man, you dudes are stupid. This show is easy to aquire. You just have to find a trader and get your fat ass off the couch and send em some blank CDs. Hundreds of shows on here and people like you still complain? Self-centered hippies are the absolute worst, for real.

30 plus years supporting this band and (Dare I say) maybe, wasting a good bit of my life or a lot of time and potential. But...no regrets.. except; that after a "free music policy" since inception They now pull this shit. I don't buy Dick's Pics. No offense to the late D.L. God Bless Him. I can't afford em. I'm pushing 50 I've got big kids in college little kids to raise, bills to pay, drum sticks to buy, gas is $2.50 a gallon(I'm not even mentioning heating oil), we need 7 cords of firewood you name it food's through the roof and the Dead wants to take away my music. Let the yuppie pricks and those with money to piss away buy your over priced, edited,commercial releases(I bought all the vinyl for 25 years)FREE THE MUSIC! as my freind below says. those of us that that made you wealthy men over the last 4 decades deserve the complete archive. Those that want commercial releases will buy them regardless. The rest of us bootleggers will not.Why remove an alternative source anyway?

On the subject of taping, Jerry Garcia once said, The shows are never the same, ever. And when were done with it, they can have it.
The bottom line for the Dead was that as long as tapers were not financially profiting from their efforts, they didn't care if fans recorded and shared their performances.
I guess the financial beast is too big now and there is too much money to milk.

In spite of the fact that high quality shows abound from this run, this show is just about perfect. It is also cool to patronize the Dead as they have been quite generous to us.....if you buy these and download everything else, your cost per disc will be almost nothing....priceless.....Kev

whew!

And it is still one of the best

Simply the best. First set is no slacker, but the second set is perfect. Essential.

Though it's true that basically all shows from May '77 rank extremely high in all the important categories, this particular show stands out. It is, quite literally, the best of the best. The Sugaree is, in my opinion, nothing less than the most brilliant and inspired version of this incredible tune. It has three separate, distinct jams, all of which could stand alone and still be amazing--but no, they are all part of one song, and collectively they constitute the sweetest 20 or so minutes of listening pleasure.
Likewise, the Peggy-O and the Row Jimmy are stellar versions; the way Jerry switches back and forth from normal lead guitar playing to slide guitar is unfathomable. Jerry's wizardry is evident throughout the show, but it becomes particularly evident during these songs.
If none of these songs are your favorites, don't despair. Pretty much every number they perform at this show is of the highest quality. Since this time period is, in my opinion and many others as well, essentially the culmination of the Dead's entire 30 year history, you can bet that any song they chose to play will sound perfect. This is the Dead at their technical and artistic peak. As among the best show of this magical span of time, 5-19-77 is indeed the best of the best.

everyone has said that's all that is to be said.
Though one of you only gave it 4 out of 5 stars...
How can this be. Surely if any show deserves 5-stars..this one does...

Downloaded this from the comments and thought it would be good to pay homage on its anniversay date. The show blew me away. 5/9 used to be my favorite from this month/year but this beats it hands down.

I have to agree with the authors of the Deadhead's Compendium on this one. Best show of May 77. Not to take anything away from the other legendary shows that took place that month, but this one doesn't have a single let down...not one note.
As stated before, the Sugaree and Peggy-O are stellar versions. LLR, Row Jimmy, and Loser are all first set highlights as well.
Second set's Terrapin through the conclusion of Playin is just stunning cohesion between the band members. Jerry especially just shines all the way through.
Get this one if you don't have it. It will be an instant favorite.

Just when you think you've heard all the great May 77 shows, along comes another beautiful SHN soundboard mind-blower! Jerry delivers a sweet Sugaree and Peggy-O. The Passenger is hot and raunchy (why did they drop this song?)and Bobby closes with a Dancin that rocks the house. The 2nd Set features the collection of tunes that really showcase where the Dead were at with their collective jamming mind in 1977 - Terrapin>Playin and Uncle John. Throw in Estimated, Wheel and the first China Doll since 1974, and you've got one of the best shows of the year. Encore? Forget it, your brain can't take anymore! The night before is also very good, but this one trumps it for me.
Dr. Flashback :-)

IMHO, a better show than the night before. The first set has great versions of classic '77 songs...Sugaree that smokes, Jimmy, LL Rain, Peggy-O, Dancing etc. The second set is a one long adventure that only the Grateful Dead can take you on...excellent jamming and song selection. No need for an encore tonight...get it!!!